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Chapter 16: Politics
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy2
Chapter Chapter OverviewOverview
Power, Authority, and
Violence
The U.S. Political
System
Types of Governments
Voting Patterns
Sociological
Perspectives and
Politics
Power, Authority, and
Violence
The U.S. Political
System
Types of Governments
Voting Patterns
Sociological
Perspectives and
Politics
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
Politics is always about power and authority.
The process by which power is distributed and decisions are made.
Every society must have a system of leadership
Leaders delegate orders so members may complete task and the overall goals shall be accomplished Power is necessary in order to accomplish such goals and tasks.
PoliticsPolitics
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
P
ower: Ability to get your way despite resistance
T
wo Types of Power
4
Power, Authority, and ViolencePower, Authority, and Violence
AuthorityLegitimate Power
Very stable and obedience to it is accepted as a social norm.
AuthorityLegitimate Power
Very stable and obedience to it is accepted as a social norm.
AuthorityLegitimate Power
Very stable and obedience to it is accepted as a social norm.
AuthorityLegitimate Power
Very stable and obedience to it is accepted as a social norm.
CoercionIllegitimate power
Unstable and will eventually fail.
CoercionIllegitimate power
Unstable and will eventually fail.
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
Traditional Authority – Authority based on custom or tradtion, we will
always know who is next in line
Ruler’s word is the law
Authority is not based on tradition and family background
Examples: British Royal Family, parenting
Rational-Legal Authority – Authority is based on written rules; we may
not know who is next in line, but we know how they will be elected
Authority is closely linked to the government.
Ruler’s word is subject to law.
5
3 Types of Authority 3 Types of Authority (Weber)(Weber)
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
Charismatic Authority – a person becomes an authority figure because
of his/her outstanding traits
Exceptional personal qualities that inspires others
Challenge the status quo or laws
They can inspire followers to overthrow traditional or bureaucratic
authorities.
Transfer of authority is problematic
2 ways authority can be transferred: The authority figure can appoint someone
The authority figure can build an organization out of which comes rational-legal authority; this
is referred to as Routinization of Charisma 6
3 Types of Authority 3 Types of Authority (con’t.)(con’t.)
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
Monarchies
A type of political system that transfers power from generation to generation.
Democracy
A system in which power and authority is exercised by the people as a whole. “Power to the People”
Direct democracy or participatory
Eligible voters meet together to discuss issues and make their decisions.
Indirect democracy or representative
Voters elect representatives to govern and make decisions on their behalf.
Women’s rights, civil rights, and social rights
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
Authoritarian Regimes
Power is held by one leader or a small elite who govern without constitutional limits and who recognize a responsibility only to themselves
OligarchySmall group of elites who
wield power and are accountable only to
themselves
DictatorshipA political system of
arbitrary rule by a single individual
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
Authoritarian Regimes
Totalitarian Regimes
Seek to regulate all aspects of life and transform individuals and societies in the name of a utopian vision
Dictatorships and Oligarchies are examples of Totalitarianism (total control by the government)
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
Republicans
Older
Middle to Upper Social Classes
Conservative
Less government
Democrats
Younger
Minority Groups
Women more than men
Liberal
Working classes
More government
10
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
Non-Hispanic Whites Most Likely to Vote
African Americans Next Most Likely
Latinos Least Likely to Vote
Social integration
The more people feel they have a stake in the system, the more likely they are to vote
Voter Apathy is present in the U.S.: indifference to voting
Characteristics of a likely voter
White, older, more educated, affluent, female, and employed 11
Voting PatternsVoting Patterns
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy12
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
Functionalist Perspective: Pluralism (Diffusion Among Many)
The functionalist perspective believes that the U.S. is ruled by many different groups
There is a check and balance between the main branches of the government: Legislative, Judicial, and Executive
13
Functionalist Functionalist PerspectivePerspective
Politics and the EconomyPolitics and the EconomyPolitics and the Economy
Conflict Perspective: The Power Elite (C. Wright Mills and Dumhoff) rule the government
The Power Elite are made up of top governmental officials, heads of the military, and CEO’s of large corporations
Information gets passed along to the members of this group
No major decisions get made without their approval
14
Conflict Conflict PerspectivePerspective